Safety cut-off system for a circuit supplied by two alternators

ABSTRACT

A control and starting circuit system in which out of several possible generators being operable, only the first energizable generator comes into play or operation, and solenoid means by positive action perform the step of opening the power circuits of the other generators so that they are precluded from being energized at all as long as the first generator is energized.

United States Patent 11 1 Pelabon Aug. 20, 1974 SAFETY CUT-OFF SYSTEM FOR A CIRCUIT SUPPLIED BY TWO ALTERNATORS [75] Inventor: Andre E. Pelabon, Paris, France [73] Assignee: ANF-Frangeco, S.A., Courbevoie,

France [22 Filed: Apr. 13,1973

211 Appl. No.2 350,816

Kuhn 307/64 X Dhonau 105/615 Primary ExaminerRobert K. Schaefer Assistant Examiner-M. Ginsburg [5 7] ABSTRACT A control and starting circuit system in which out of several possible generators being operable, only the first energizable generator comes into play or operation, and solenoid means by positive action perform the step of opening the power circuits of the other generators so that they are precluded from being energized at all as long as the first generator is energized.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 Clam, 2 D'awmg 1,839,915 1/1932 Chorlton 60/97 R A 11 s o- 1 o o l at B l .11..

50 58 STARTING STARTING DEVlCE DEVICE l AUXILIARY AUXGIkISARY GAS TURBINE A TURBINE B FIRST POWER CAR I SECOND POWER CAR PATENTED 3,881,036

-1 T|"*--- "i TACHOMETRIC 1: R TACHOMETRIC T i CONTROL R l: CONTROL TURBlNE i I 34 34 34 H 34 34 RBINE} I @1 7; j I 3 II A2 Q4 {K5 22 I I i i I 24 :l l

E! I T ii i I i I 2 ll I II E F[ E ii 'iJL .A TL1-i JT EQ U IST POWER CAR PASSENGER CAR PASSENGER CAR PASSENGER CAR 2 POWER CAR FIG. 2 l

L L --o o --o o- 70 54 a, o 52 +T 56 i I2 50 5e STARTING STARTING DEVICE DEVICE.

AUXILIARY AUXILIARY GAS GAS TURBINE v A TURBINE B FIRST POWER CAR SECOND POWER CAR SAFETY CUT-OFF SYSTEM FOR A CIRCUIT SUPPLIED BY TWO ALTERNATORS CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED INFORMATION AND REFERENCES This application for patent is co-pending with at least the following related applications concurrently filed herewith:

Ser. No. 350,807 for Gas Turbine Powered Self- Propelled Railway Train; Ser. No. 350,809 for Cross Extension for Electrical Connection Circuit and Ser. No. 350,815 for Safety Cut-Off System fora Circuit Supplied by Two Alternators.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to means supplying electric power to a self-propelled train powered by thermal engines and, more particularly, the invention relates to gas turbine propelled railway cars identically constructed so that a generator is driven by a traction engine, or an auxiliary engine that can to advantage be a gas turbine, in which each generator has sufficient power to supply the entire train, and at any given moment a single generator only is in operation. Thus by means of a protective control circuit means having solenoids operable by selective push-buttons, only a first generator comes into operation, and open circuit solenoid holding means precludes other generators from coming into operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In existing systems of supplying electric power for distribution purposes to thermal engine-powered railway trains, the electric power is supplied in such prior art devices either by a single generator, such as a statodyne or alternator that is driven by a thermal engine, or by two or several groups. In the case of the single generator, each generator supplies a clearly defined part of the power of the train set or system. These systems have at least the following disadvantages:

a. When there is a single generator:

1. In the event of breakdown of the group, i.e. the thermal engine or generator, of both, then the train has no more electric power supply.

2. Since the group is usually located in the power car, the two power cars of the train (in the case of a two-power car reversible train) are not always identical, a fact that complicates the construction and especially the operation of the train.

b. When there are several generators:

1. In the event of a generator breakdown, the section supplied by this generator is deprived of electric power.

2. All the generators operate at the same time and their upkeep tends to be expensive.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION An object and advantage of the present invention is to provide circuit control means to remedy the drawbacks set out above.

A further object and advantage of the invention is to provide both the power cars of a reversible train set with equipment of a generator driven by the traction engine, or preferably, by an auxiliary engine that can to advantage be a gas turbine, and in which each generator has enough power to supply the whole train and at any given instant provide for the operation of a single generator with positive override to preclude the operation of any other generator.

A further advantage of the invention is to provide for the construction of identical systems of generation of powerin power cars of a train set in which one power car can be replaced in operation by another without restriction, and in which circuit means provides for positive override so that one, and no more, generator can be energized simultaneously to the first energized generator.

It is another object and advantage of the invention to provide, in the event of a generator breakdown, that the generator of the other power car can then be energized by a push-button operation, or the like, and thus the generator of the other power car can take over immediately.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a generator control system or lower maintenance costs since, on the average, a generator is used only during half the train travel time due to the other generator being used for the other half interval.

A further object of the invention is to provide a safety device that prevents the positive and simultaneous start-up of two thermal engines driving the alternators at the same time.

An added advantage and object of the invention is that each generator is protected by a supply contactor system which prevents the setting up in parallel of two alternators in the event the safety system may fail to function.

' Also it is an advantage and object of the invention to provide a generator solely operable with sufficient power to supply the power needed for an entire train.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWING The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon full consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram in part showing a system for supplying electric power to a railway train powered by thermal engines, particularly gas turbines, in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 2 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a pushbutton start circuit of an auxiliary gas turbine with positive override to preclude other auxiliary gas turbines from being energized concurrently, also within the purview of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a system supplying electric power to a railway train consisting of motor cars 12,12 and trailer cars or passenger cars 14,14,14. The motor cars 12,12 have a power generator 16,18 of 220V /380V three-phase such as an alternator rated at 310 kVA, 50 Hz, and being powered by a gas turbine 22,24. The alternators 16,18 are connected to a three-phase and neuter or grounded conductor system 26 for supplying all the vehicles 12-14 and to which the second generator or alternator 18 is shown connected through a switch 30 controlled by solenoid 32.

The conduction system 26 supplies current to the vehicles by connections 34, as shown in cars 14,14 for connection to load means (not shown).

Each of the generators 16,18 is protected by sets of contactors 30,36 actuable, respectively, by solenoids 32,38, which are shown to prevent the setting up in parallel of the two alternators 16,18, respectively, and which are energized from an electrical source (not shown) under control of separate tachometric switches, respectively connected with the turbines 18 and 16, to prevent connection of an alternator with the line 26 until it has come up to operating speed. Also, if an alternator drops below a minimum operating speed, it will be disconnected.

FIG. 2 shows schematically, portions of the starting devices for the turbines 22,24 located in motor cars 12,12 in which are a first control position 40, in the first power car a second control system 42, in the second power car each having push-buttons A and B. Pushbuttons A, make it possible to initiate the starting sequence for turbine 22 in the first power car from either one of the cars, while push-buttons B allow turbine 24 to be started from either car.

In FIG. 2 of the drawings, change reference numbers 60 and 62 to 22 and 24.

When push-button 40-A is closed, current is supplied to start device 50 through contacts 52, and which energizes normally closed solenoid 54 to open contacts 56, thus positively holding current from being applied to a current device 58. Each of the start devices is connected to respective auxiliary gas turbines 22 and 24, which turbines are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Similarly, the above operation is capable of being performed by depression of push-button 42-A. On depression of either 40-B or 42-B, current is supplied to normally closed solenoid 70 to open switch contacts 52, and current is also supplied to start device 58 and current is removed from being applied to start device 50.

Additional embodiments of the invention in this specification will occur to others and therefore it is intended that the scope of the invention be limited only by the appended claims and not by the embodiment described hereinabove. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a railway train of the type having first and second power cars, said cars being respectively provided with a motor generator means including electrically energized starter means for supplying electricity to all of the cars in the train, electrical supply circuit means common to all of the cars in the train, starter energizing circuit means common to said first and second power cars, each of said power cars including switch means for connecting a respective motor generator means with the electrical circuit means, supply said starter energizing circuit means including manually operable switch means for each of the first and second power cars for selectively energizing the respective electrically energized starter means for either one of the motor generator means and interlocking circuit means for preventing energization of the other of the starter circuit means when one of the respective electrically energized starter means has been previously energized thereby preventing the starting of a second motor generator means whenever the first one is running.

2. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said switch means for connecting a respective motor generator means with the electrical supply circuit means is responsive to operation of the respective motor generator means.

3. The invention defined in claim 2, wherein said switch means for connecting the motor generator means with the electrical supply circuit means comprises tachometric means responsive to rotation of the motor generator means.

4. The invention defined in claim 2, wherein each of said motor generator means generates sufficient power to supply the entire train.

5. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said manually operable switch means includes first and second manually operable switches for each of said power cars for said selective energization.

6. The invention defined in claim 5, wherein said starter energizing circuit means includes circuit disabling means for each of said electrically energized starter means responsive selectively to energization of the other electrically energized starter means.

7. The invention defined in claim 6, wherein said circuit disabling means comprises solenoid switch means. 

1. In a railway train of the type having first and second power cars, said cars being respectively provided with a motor generator means including electrically energized starter means for supplying electricity to all of the cars in the train, electrical supply circuit means common to all of the cars in the train, starter energizing circuit means common to said first and second power cars, each of said power cars including switch means for connecting a respective motor generator means with the electrical circuit means, supply said starter energizing circuit means including manually operable switch means for each of the first and second power cars for selectively energizing the respective electrically energized starter means for either one of the motor generator means and interlocking circuit means for preventing energization of the other of the starter circuit means when one of the respective electrically energized starter means has been previously energized thereby preventing the starting of a second motor generator means whenever the first one is running.
 2. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said switch means for connecting a respective motor generator means with the electrical supply circuit means is responsive to operation of the respective motor generator means.
 3. The invention defined in claim 2, wherein said switch means for connecting the motor generator means with the electrical supply circuit means comprises tachometric means responsive to rotation of the motor generator means.
 4. The invention defined in claim 2, wherein each of said motor generator means generates sufficient power to supply the entire train.
 5. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said manually operable switch means includes first and second manually operable switches for each of said power cars for said selective energization.
 6. The invention defined in claim 5, wherein said starter energizing circuit means includes circuit disabling means for each of said electrically energized starter means responsive selectively to energization of the other electrically energized starter means.
 7. The invention defined in claim 6, wherein said circuit disabling means comprises solenoid switch means. 